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LITTLE LILLYS EDUCATION SOCIETY

Class: 9 Our Environment Sub : G.S
I.Answer the following : 1M
1.What are Biodegradable substance ?
A:The substances that are broken down to non – poisonous substances by the action of micro organisms like
bacteria and fungi are called bio degradable substances.

2.Give some examples for bio degradable wastes.

A:Leather, Agricultural wastes, Vegetable peel, Paper, Oil, Tea leaves, Sewage are some biodegradable wastes ;
Animal bones, wood, wool etc.,

3.What are non biodegradable substances ?

A:The substances which can not be broken down by the action of micro organisms are called as non
biodegradable substances.

4.Give some examples for non – biodegradable substances.

A:Plastic, Polythene bags, Aluminium foil, Coated paper plates, DDT, glass, Synthetic fibres, Ball point pen
refill, Radio active wastes etc., are some non-biodegradable substances.

5.Why are non – biodegradable substances persist in environment for longer time ?
A:Non biodegradable substances can not be broken down by micro organisms. Hence they persist in enviroment
for longer time and harm the various members of the eco system.

6.Define ecosystem.
A:Eco system is a community in which living organisms and non living components such as air, water, soil etc
interact with each other and their environment.

7.Mention the two components of eco system with examples.

A:The two components of eco system are :
1.Biotic components – Ex : Plants, Animals, Micro organisms, Human beings.
2.Abiotic components – Ex : Physical factors like temperature, rainfall, wind, soil and minerals.

8.Mention the two types of eco systems. Give examples.

A:The two types of eco systems are :
1.Natural eco systems – Ex : Forest, Pond, Lake, Grass land, Desert, Mountains.
2.Artificial eco systems (Man made ecosystems) – Ex : Garden, Aquarium, Field, Park.

9.What are producers ?

A:Organisms which can make organic compounds like sugar and starch using solar energy in the presence of
chlorophyll are called as producers. Ex : All green plants and certain blue green algae.

10.What are consumers ?

A:Organisms which depend on producers for food either directly or indirectly are called as consumers.
Ex : Animals.

11.What are decomposers ?

A: The micro organisms which break down the complex organic compounds present in dead plants and animals
into simpler substances are called decomposers. Ex : Bacteria and Fungi.

12.What is food chain ?

A:The sequence of living organisms in a community in which one organism consumes another organism to
transfer energy is called a food chain.

13.What are trophic levels ?

A:The various steps (levels) in the food chain at which transfer of energy takes place are called trophic levels.

14.Define a food web.

A:The various food chains are inter connected with each other to form a network like structure called food web.

15.What is meant by 10% law.

A:According to 10% law, during the transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next trophic level. 90% of
the energy from the previous trophic level is lost as heat to the environment only 10% is available to the next
trophic level.

16.Define the term “Biological magnification”.

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A:The process in which harmful chemicals enter a food chain and get accumulated progressively at each trophic
level is called biological magnification.

17.What is ozone ? Why is it essential ?

A:Ozone is a molecule formed by three atoms of oxygen (O3). It shields the surface of the earth from ultra
violet radiation from the sun.

18.How is ozone formed ?

A: The higher energy UV radiation split O2 molecule in to free oxygen atoms. These atoms combine with the
molecular oxygen to form ozone.
O2  O + O O + O2  O3 (Ozone)

19.Why is Ozone layer getting depleted at the higher levels of the atmosphere ?
A: Ozone layer is getting depleted due to the effect of Chloro fluro carbons which are used as refrigerants and in
fire extinguishers.

20.Write two effects of Ozone depletion on our health ?

A:Ozone depletion allows UV radiation from the Sun to reach us and causes skin cancer, cataract. It also affects
the immune system.

II.Answer the following : 2M

1.Why are some substances bio degradable and some are non bio degradable ?
A:Substances that are broken down by biological process are called bio degradable substances and which are
not broken down by biological processes are called non bio degradable. 2.The de composers (Bacteria, Fungi)
have specific enzymes for such activity. 3.They break down natural materials but not man made materials like
plastic.

2.Give any two ways in which bio degradable substances would affect the environment ?
A:They produce foul smell during decomposition process. 2.They serve as breeding place to flies which carry
germs and spread various diseases to people living in that area.

3.Give any two ways in which non biodegradable substances would affect the environment ?
A:The harmful chemicals like DDT enter the food chain and causes biological magnification. 2.Excessive use
of fertilizers in agriculture pollute free soil and water.

4.Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.
A: Plants  Deer  Tiger
( Producers) Primary Consumers Secondary Consumers
(Herbivores) (Carnivores)
Plants – I Trophic level
Deer – II Trophic level
Tiger – III Trophic level

5.What is the role of decomposers in the eco system ? OR Why are bacteria and fungi called decomposers ?
List any two advantages of decomposers.
A:The micro organisms like bacteria and fungi break down the complex organic compounds present in the dead
organisms in to simpler substances. Hence they are called as decomposers.
Importance : 1.They decompose the dead bodies of plants and animals and hence acts as cleansing agents of
environment. 2.They also help in returning the nutrients in to the soil and maintains the fertility of the soil.

6.What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level ?
A:If we kill all the organisms in one trophic level, the organisms in next trophic level will decrease drastically
due to non availability of food. 2.The population of organisms in the previous trophic level will increase. 3.It
causes an ecological imbalance in the eco system.

7.Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic levels ? Can
the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem ?
A: (a)Yes, the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level is different for different trophic levels.
Ex : Grass Deer  Lion.
If we removed the Lions at the 3rd trophic level the population of deer will increase & eat up all the plants. If
we remove the deer in 2nd trophic level, the lions can not survive.
(b)No, the organisms of any trophic level can not be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem.

8.Why do food chains generally consists of only 3 or 4 trophic levels ? Explain.

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A:During th transfer of energy, through successive trophic levels in an ecosystem, there is a loss of energy all
along the path.
2.According to 10% law, only 10% of the energy is available for transfer to the next higher trophic level.
3.Since so little energy is available for the next level of consumers, food chains generally consist of only 3 or 4
steps.
9.Why is there a need to ban the use of polythene bags ?
A:Polythene bags are non biodegradable. They can not be decomposed by micro organisms. It goes on
accumulating on the land and causes soil pollution.

III.Answer the following : 3M

1.Why is the flow of energy in the eco system is un directional ?
A:1.The energy enters the plants, through photo synthesis during the preparation of food. 2.During the transfer
of energy through successive trophic levels, there is a loss of energy all along the path in the form of heat. 3.It
can not be reused by plants in photo synthesis. 4.This makes the flow of energy in ecosystem unidirectional.

2.Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern ? What steps are being taken to limit this damage ?
A:Ozone layer prevents the harmful UV radiations to reach the earth. 2.Depletion of ozone layer has become a
cause for concern because it causes skin cancer, cataract, changes in DNA, damages the immune system.
Steps taken to limit this damage :
1.Judicious use of aerosol sprays and CFCs which cause depletion in ozone layer. 2.Control over large scale
nuclear explosions and limited use of supersonic planes.

3.How can garbage pollution be controlled ?

A:Recycling of certain products like plastic and paper. 2.Making use of biodegradable products as much as we
can. 3.Producing bio gas from the organic wastes. 4.Separation of bio degradable and non bio degradable
wastes during disposal. 5.Making compost from plant wastes.

IV.Fill in the blanks :

1.A food chain always starts with producers.
2.Ozone layer is damaged by CFC’s.
3.The main source of energy in self sustaining eco system is Sun.
4.The second trophic level is always herbivore.
5.The percentage of solar radiation observed by all the green plants for the process of photosynthesis is 1%.
6.Flow of energy in an ecosystem is always unidirectional.
7.In natural ecosystem decomposers include bacteria and fungi.
8.The process in which harmful chemicals enters the food chain and gets concentrated at each trophic level is
biological magnificatioin.
9.Pesticides enter the food chain at producer level.
10.O2 is converted in O3 by the action of UV rays.